Life-preserver.



Patented May 25, 1915.

[L/IKIEESEE HF NORRIb PETERS (70., PHOTO-LITHO WASHINGTON, D. C.

ARTHUR HAROLD WYLI) CLEAVE, OE OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 25, 1934.5.

Application filed March 30, 1914. Serial No. 828,382.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR II. W. CLEAVE, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and resident of the city of Ottawa, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in life buoys or the like, and particularly those of the ring-buoy type, as described in the present specification, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings that form part of the same.

The objects of the invention are to devise a life buoy of simple and durable construction, which may be readily placed about the body and secured in position, to insure immediate assistance and safety to the person in the water with the least efiort, and to keep the head well above the water.

The invention consists essentially of the novel arrangement and construction of parts, whereby a plurality of segmental parts are arranged to clasp together and form a buoyant ring.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the invention in an open position, and hanging in readiness for use. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the invention in a closed position. Fig. 3 is a side View of the invention.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

Referring to the drawings, 1 is a life preserver of the ring-buoy type, comprising the two semi-circular halves 2 and 3. Each half of the buoy is formed with a center frame 4, said frame being shown as a flat plate of semi-circular shape, extending through the mid-section of the buoy, though it must be understood that this frame may even be entirely omitted, or extend only part way around the buoy, or may be of tubular shape, whereby the hollow interior will add to the buoyancy of the entire buoy.

Each plate a at one end thereof has a hinge leaf 5 secured thereto in any suitable manner, or formed integral therewith, the hinge leaf of one half being secured by a suitable pin to the hinge leaf of the other half, whereby the two semi-circular frames may open to the position shown in Fig. 1, or close together as shown in Fig. 2 the ends being cut on an angle to accommodate such opening as shown in the drawings.

6 are sockets secured to the frame 4 immediately in front of the hinge connection,

and with the openings thereof facing to ward one another.

7 is a spiral compression spring having the ends thereof inserted in the socket 6, whereby the two semi-circular sections of the buoy are normally held in their open position.

8 are spring plates suitably secured to the frame of the side 2 at the opposite end to the hinge 5, said plates having the orifices 9 therethrough, and paralleling one another, and projecting outwardly from the end of the frame.

10 is a catch plate secured to the end of the frame of the section 3 of the buoy opposite the hinged end, said catch plate being spear-shaped on the end thereof, and projecting outwardly from the frame, whereby when the two semi-circular frames are brought together, the open ends will interlock, that is the spear-shaped end of the plate 10 will enter between the spring plates 8 until the sides thereof enter the orifices 9, thus securely fastening the two semi-circular sections of the buoy in one unbroken ring. The frames of the buoy sections are covered on both sides throughout their length with a cork filling 11, and then incased in a canvas covering 12, as customary in life-buoys.

13 is a life-line looped about the buoy and fastened thereto at intervals as shown and as customary in buoy construction.

In operation the buoy is normally hung in readiness for use as shown in Fig. 1, with each semi-circular section swung to open position, and when thrown into the water to rescue a person, the spring 7 of the hinge connection of the two sections will retain the buoy in its normal open position, whereby a person reaching for the buoy may enter the same with perfect freedom, and as most natural will throw the arms over the sides of the buoy, so that when approaching the buoy even from the side opposite the opening, the arms when thrown over the buoy will cause the same to quickly flop over, always bringing the open ends under the arms and toward the back of the person, so that the ends will automatically close behind the person, and the catch snap into locked position, completing a ring buoy.

It may be mentioned that grave difliculty is met by the ordinary person attempting to enter a ring buoy, and it requires almost expert work to make the necessary dive into the ring to pass the same under the arms.

Whereas, the present invention overcomes all such difiiculty, and ultimately provides a buoy of strong and durable construction, and a full measure of buoyancy.

It must be understood that I do not Wish to confine myself in the present specification to the exact manner of construction of parts, the feature being to have the buoy formed in segments Which will normally be held in open position, and may be readily clasped and fastened about the body of the person when desired. It Will thus be understood that the buoy is not of necessity a ring buoy, but may be made inthe flat belt type, or in fact in any desired form Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as my inventiomis:

1. A life buoy comprising a pair of semicircular'frames hinged together at one extremity of each, a pair of spring plates secured to the opposite extremity of one frame and having orifices therethrough,-a spearshaped catch secured to the opposite extremity of the other frame and interlocking between said spring plates, a buoyant filling covering said frames and a textile casing inclosingsaidfilling and frames.

2. A life buoy comprising a plurality of semi-circular frames hinged together at one extremity of each, a spiral spring located between the hinged ends of 'said frames and normally holdingthe same in open position,

Ontario,'Ganada,-this 25th day of February,

qARTHUR HAROLD WYLD OLEAVE.

Witnesses Ross THoMsoN, K. L. lHCGIBBON.

Copies of this patent maylbe obtained tor five cents each, byaddressingthe F commissioner of Patent:-

, Washington,,D. C- 

